240 General: E10 petrol for 30 yr old 240?

[gnnmartin]

I have been advised that we should use 'super' petrol in our 31 year old Volvo 240 estate now that the ordinary lead free petrol is E10. However, the government web site https://check-vehicle-compatibility-...facturer/Volvo says we are ok to use E10. Does anyone have an opinion?

If we do need to use super, is it because the higher octane makes the ethanol better tolerated, or is it just because super is still E5? In other words, might we get problems when the super becomes E10 (assuming it does, eventually)?

Our engine has been a bit unreliable of late, so we have just splashed out on a tank full of 'super'. However, are we wasting money and failing to protect the planet?

[classicswede]

When you consider the levels of deforestation to grow the crops it is in no way saving the planet. If you want to do your bit for saving the planet first keep with an old car and second consider LPG or better still CNG


If you have a carb engine it will run on E10 but you will need to adjust the fuel mixture and timing to match. E5 is a better bet

[Othen]

Originally Posted by gnnmartin

I have been advised that we should use 'super' petrol in our 31 year old Volvo 240 estate now that the ordinary lead free petrol is E10. However, the government web site https://check-vehicle-compatibility-...facturer/Volvo says we are ok to use E10. Does anyone have an opinion?

If we do need to use super, is it because the higher octane makes the ethanol better tolerated, or is it just because super is still E5? In other words, might we get problems when the super becomes E10 (assuming it does, eventually)?

Our engine has been a bit unreliable of late, so we have just splashed out on a tank full of 'super'. However, are we wasting money and failing to protect the planet?

I run my 41 year old 244 on E10, it seems fine; I haven't changed the mixture or timing.

Alan

[Angie]

I've been using E10 for a few weeks, having seen the advice that nearly all Volvos from the 1970s are compatible. I did ask at the garage about it and was told that the main thing is not to keep the petrol standing in the tank for too long, and maybe fill up with E5 from time to time. It's odd though that the engine seems to run more quietly and smoothly than before, though fuel consumption might be slightly higher.

[Angie]

Originally Posted by classicswede

When you consider the levels of deforestation to grow the crops it is in no way saving the planet. If you want to do your bit for saving the planet first keep with an old car and second consider LPG or better still CNG

I agree, so much energy is used in the destruction of perfectly good older vehicles, plus all the resources needed in the production of new ones. I think all these things, including electric cars, are something of an illusion, just tinkering at the edges of the climate problem which needs to be addressed in many other, much more damaging, areas.

Incidentally I came across an article on line recently which described how a car can be kept going almost indefinitely with the right sort of maintenance and good driving technique. My father's first car, which he and my uncle used in their garage business, was made in 1910. Until a few years ago, when it was involved in a fire, and is consequently undergoing restoration, it was roadworthy and driven occasionally. It's still listed at DVLA so I'll not be surprised to hear that it's back on the road again sometime, after 111 years!

[CosmicBike]

My '93 B200F is running just fine on E10. I'd have no idea if it was down on power as it doesn't have much anyway!

[jasons]

not a 240, but I know a chap who runs his 480 1.7 (renault motor) nasp on e85, he puts in a tenner of regular petrol then brims it with E85.

With that in mind I'll be running my 940 turbo on E85 at 65p litre, it needs a piggy back ecu for the injectors at £34 to put the extra fuel in, but octane is 106 or more.

At 10% bio you should be fine, if it finds a seal to ruin it was probably ruined anyway and would have gone in time.

[gnnmartin]

Early results suggest my car's problems are not abated by switching to E5. I expect I'll stick with E5 for another tankful to give it every chance, then, or when I find what the problem is, switch back to E10.

[230ina245]

Originally Posted by jasons

not a 240, but I know a chap who runs his 480 1.7 (renault motor) nasp on e85, he puts in a tenner of regular petrol then brims it with E85.

With that in mind I'll be running my 940 turbo on E85 at 65p litre, it needs a piggy back ecu for the injectors at £34 to put the extra fuel in, but octane is 106 or more.

At 10% bio you should be fine, if it finds a seal to ruin it was probably ruined anyway and would have gone in time.

Not trying to threadjack, but I did not think E85 was commonly available in this country. Whereabouts do you get it from?
Tim

[LankyTim]

Originally Posted by 230ina245

Not trying to threadjack, but I did not think E85 was commonly available in this country. Whereabouts do you get it from?
Tim

I'd be interested to know too, some of the South American counties run E85 and have done for years.